Nova Prime begins here a new tradition, just in time for some of the events described in Spotlight: Galvtron. More about this in another Short Story, sooner or later.

What is the sinister black shadow that accompanies the metamorphosis of the Goblet? Does it come from Nova Prime?

The Matrix Goblet will be restored by Optimus Prime: after the events of Stormbringer and the beginning of the Interplanetary Cold War against the Decepticons, Optimus realizes how foolish and dangerous may be for him to carry the Matrix Case inside his chest. Not to mention the fact that the Artifact belong to the Cybertronians, not to a single mech.Hence, the Matrix Goblet is stored in a most safe place, whose existence is considered a myth by the Decepticon. These events (that one day will become another Short Story) explain why Optimus had no Matrix Case within him in Escalation.

You guys... I can't get over how much I love the ways you're fleshing out the comic book canon. I love how well thought-out this is, how you've made it mesh in so well with all the different comic storylines.